Monday, September 20, 2010

What Caribbean Island Destination Best Suits Your Vacation?

By Robert Nickel

The Caribbean is a fantastic vacation destination. It is made up of a number of independent island communities that each has their own distinctive flavor. For many people, it is the ultimate vacation destination. The wide variety of Caribbean hotels gives travelers many options to choose from. The islands all have a great vibe, ranging from bustling modern complexes to quieter rural communities. To find the Caribbean destination that is best for you, here are a few things to consider.

Are You Looking for Glamor or a Party Vibe?

Often when people think of Caribbean destinations, the picture that comes to mind is of the glamorous hotels of Paradise Island in the Bahamas. Here, you see bronzed bodies riding Jet Skis in front of high-rise hotel complexes and sandy white beaches. There are people strolling through shopping malls, and many restaurants, bars and nightspots. There are generally loads of entertainment options and a contagious vacation vibe. Indeed, there are many islands in the Caribbean that have good tourism infrastructures and offer a host of modern conveniences. If you want to go to a destination where you can mingle with the rich and famous, you'll need to have a generous travel budget. There are sometimes more affordable accommodation options such as vacation rentals which can sometimes give you access to upmarket vacation destinations for a more affordable price.

Certain destinations have a reputation for having a great party vibe. Jamaica and some of the islands in the Bahamas such as Nassau have such a reputation. Here, you can spend your days relaxing on the beach and when the sun sets, you can dance the night away to Latin rhythms.

Do You Enjoy Tropical Tranquility?

Many of the smaller Caribbean islands offer a unique vacation experience. Smaller hotels and pristine white beaches make you feel as though you have your own private slice of paradise to enjoy. Some hotels are tucked away among the tropical foliage and have magnificent views out over the bay. If you are looking for a romantic destination for your honeymoon, choose an island where you can take long walks along the beach and enjoy stunning sunsets. The smaller islands, such as Antigua, St. Kitts and Nevis, St. Lucia or the Grenadines, are wonderfully tranquil destinations. The U.S. and British Virgin Islands are also great destinations to escape to if you are looking for a quieter, more relaxed type of vacation.

Water Sports and Underwater Explorations

The Caribbean is known for its azure blue waters and excellent scuba diving. Many of the islands have barrier or house reefs that sport rich marine life. Several artificial reefs in the form of wrecks can be found at many Caribbean island destinations. Some of the top diving destinations in the Caribbean include St. Maarten, The U.S. & U.K. Virgin Islands, St. Lucia, and the Turks and Caicos Islands. The diving conditions are generally ideal. You can expect warm water temperatures, 20-to-50-meter underwater visibility, and a rich diversity of marine life. At almost every resort, you will find a water sports center. At the center, you can hire snorkeling equipment or paddle boats. At some resorts, they have windsurfs, Jet Skis and hobiecats for rental. At the island marinas, you can arrange cruise charters or deep sea fishing excursions. Join a group or arrange for your very own private charter. Some excursions include cruises out to the reefs; they may provide snorkeling gear for you to explore the marine world below and then drop anchor off a secluded beach for you to enjoy a picnic.

Nature Explorations

There are some tropical paradises in the Caribbean that have escaped the urban sprawl. Some Caribbean hotels have made an effort to incorporate the natural environment so the area remains pristine and undisturbed. Forest lodges are set high up in the rainforest on the mountain slopes. You can wake up in the morning to the sounds of birds and monkeys playing in the trees. Many of the smaller islands have nature reserves where you can explore a variety of nature trails. If you'd like to see more of the island coastlines, a great way to do this is on a sea kayak excursion. You can paddle to remote beaches and visit mangrove areas where marine birds and the rare dugongs make their homes. On the Dominican Republic, which is one of the larger Caribbean islands, there are trekking routes through the mountainous rain forests and tree-top canopy zip-line excursions. If you are looking for eco-adventures, there are many Caribbean destinations where you can enjoy a great vacation.

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